There are numerous methods for reducing the appearance of skin pores. There are different products in the market that claim to provide relief. But why waste a ton of money when the answer is right there on your kitchen shelves? Keep reading to learn how to use home remedies to close open pores. Scroll down!

What Are Open Pores?

There are plenty of pores on the facial skin that help it breathe. When these pores become enlarged, they are visible to the naked eye. These large pores on the skin are commonly seen in oily and combination skin because such skin types produce more amounts of the natural oil (sebum). To avoid complications like acne and blackheads, you can use the remedies listed below to get rid of the large, open pores.

How To Get Rid Of Open Pores – 20 Best Remedies

No More Open, Large Pores With These Natural Remedies

1. Aloe Vera For Skin Pores

Aloe vera gel

  1. Apply some aloe vera gel on the pores and massage for a few minutes. Preferably, use fresh aloe vera gel for this. 2. Let the aloe gel sit on your skin for 10 minutes. Then, rinse with cool water. Applying aloe vera gel every day will soon shrink your pores. Moisturizing the face with aloe vera helps to shrink large pores. The gel cleanses and nourishes the skin and removes oil and dirt from the clogged pores (1). Back To TOC

2. Egg White For Skin Pores

1 egg white 2 tablespoons oatmeal 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  1. Take the egg white and mix it with the oatmeal and lemon juice. Make an even paste. 2. Apply the paste on your face and keep it on for 30 minutes. 3. Rinse it off with cold water. Apply the paste twice a week for beautiful skin. Egg white tightens and tones the skin, which helps in shrinking the enlarged pores. Egg masks are excellent remedies for open pores and can also be used to treat virulent forms of acne (2, 3). Back To TOC

3. Apple Cider Vinegar For Skin Pores

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon water Cotton ball

  1. Dilute apple cider vinegar in water. 2. Dip the cotton ball in this and apply the vinegar on the face. 3. Let it air dry. Use apple cider vinegar as a skin toner every day. Apple cider vinegar is known to cleanse the skin and also shrink the pores. It acts as a toner and tightens your skin (4). It also reduces any inflammation (5). Back To TOC

4. Papaya For Skin Pores

A few pieces of ripe papaya

  1. Mash the papaya and apply it on the face. 2. Leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off with water. Repeat this remedy every alternate day. Papaya helps in toning and tightening the skin pores. It deeply purifies the skin by removing impurities and unclogging pores (6). Back To TOC

5. Baking Soda For Skin Pores

2 tablespoons baking soda 2 tablespoons water

  1. Make a paste by mixing soda and warm water. 2. Apply the paste into the pores and massage gently in circular motions for about 30 seconds. 3. Rinse it thoroughly using cool water. Use this remedy once in three to four days. Baking soda has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing complications like pimples and acne. It helps remove dead skin cells, grime, and other impurities. Baking soda regulates the skin’s acid content and maintains its pH balance (7, 8). Back To TOC

6. Besan For Skin Pores

1 tablespoon besan 1 teaspoon turmeric powder 1 tablespoon yogurt A few drops of olive oil

  1. Make a fine paste by mixing all the ingredients. 2. Apply the paste on your face and leave it to dry for 20 to 25 minutes. 3. Rinse with cool water. 4. Pat dry and moisturize. Use this besan face pack twice a week. Otherwise known as gram flour or chickpea flour, besan is an excellent ingredient to be used in a face pack. It not only exfoliates the skin and removes dead cells but also tightens large pores (9). Back To TOC

7. Banana For Skin Pores

1 banana peel

  1. Gently swipe the inside of the banana peel on your face. 2. Wash after 10 to 15 minutes. Do this every alternate day. The antioxidant lutein present in the banana peel, along with the mineral potassium, enables it to heal and rejuvenate your skin. Regular application will smoothen out your skin (10, 11). Back To TOC

8. Cucumber For Skin Pores

4-5 cucumber slices 2 tablespoon lemon juice

  1. Blend the cucumber slices and add the lemon juice to it. Mix well. 2. Apply this mask on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. 3. Rinse with cool water. 4. For best results, cool the cucumber slices in the freezer for a couple of minutes before blending them. Apply the cucumber pack twice or thrice a week. The mask not only helps in treating open skin pores but also improves the skin texture. It soothes and nourishes the skin. Cucumber also slows down the skin aging process, giving you a youthful and glowing appearance (12). Back To TOC

9. Argan Oil For Skin Pores

A few drops of argan oil

  1. Lightly warm up the oil between your fingers and apply on the face. 2. Massage the oil in for a couple of minutes. 3. Rinse with lukewarm water after half an hour. Repeat this every night before going to bed. Recommended by dermatologists, this oil from the Middle East nourishes your skin and diminishes large, open pores. It is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamin E that hydrate the skin and keep it glowing (13). Back To TOC

10. Jojoba Oil For Skin Pores

3-4 drops jojoba oil

  1. Massage jojoba oil on your skin for a couple of minutes. 2. Leave the oil on overnight. Use this remedy a few times during the week. The consistency of jojoba oil is very similar to the skin’s natural oil. It cleans the clogged pores and minimizes the size of enlarged pores (14). Back To TOC

11. Lemon For Skin Pores

1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon water Cotton ball

  1. Dilute the lemon juice in the water. 2. Apply it to your face using the cotton ball. 3. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse with water. Repeat this every day. Lemon juice possesses astringent characteristics. It helps tighten the skin and unclogs pores. It has been hailed as one of the most effective remedies for blackheads. Its citric acid content helps loosen and break the impurity’s chemical bond with the skin, thus helping clear pores (15). Dilute lemon juice with more water if you have sensitive skin. Back To TOC

12. Multani Mitti For Skin Pores

2 tablespoons multani mitti 1-2 tablespoons rose water or milk

  1. Add the rose water to the multani mitti powder and mix well so that no clumps form. 2. Apply a thin layer of this paste on your face and let it dry for 15 minutes. 3. Rinse with cool water. Repeat this twice a week. While clay masks are excellent for unclogging pores, Fuller’s earth or multani mitti soaks excess oil from the skin. It can suck up oil from any material. It is an excellent cleanser for the face and removes impurities. Its skin whitening properties also make your skin glow (16). Back To TOC

13. Yogurt For Skin Pores

2 tablespoons plain yogurt

  1. Apply yogurt to the affected area and leave it on for about 20 minutes, 2. Rinse with lukewarm water. Repeat this remedy twice a week to reduce the size of the skin pores. Yogurt tightens the large pores and also reduces skin blemishes. The lactic acid present in it is responsible for the pore tightening effects. Also, this lactic acid is helpful in removing dead cells and impurities from the face (17). Back To TOC

14. Olive Oil For Skin Pores

A few drops of extra virgin olive oil

  1. Massage the olive oil on the large pores in gentle circular motions for a few minutes. 2. Rinse the oil off with lukewarm water. Repeat this once every day. The phenolic compounds of olive oil have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They keep the skin in optimum health and get rid of all any issues that are plaguing the skin like dryness, itchiness, enlarged pores, etc. (18). Back To TOC

15. Sugar Scrub For Skin Pores

1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon honey 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  1. Gently mix the honey and lemon juice in the brown sugar. 2. Wash your face with normal water. 3. Before the sugar starts to melt, massage the scrub gently on the affected region for three to five minutes. 4. Rinse off with warm water. You can use this scrub up to twice a week. Sugar is a commonly used exfoliant in skin care routines. It removes dead cell build-up and impurities from pores and reduces their size (19). Back To TOC

16. Turmeric For Skin Pores

1 tablespoon turmeric powder 1 tablespoon rose water or milk

  1. Mix the turmeric with water to get a smooth paste. 2. Apply this on the affected area and let it sit for about 10 minutes. 3. Rinse with water. Use this remedy every alternate day. Turmeric kills all the bacteria that may be breeding in your pores and inflaming them. Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce any swelling and shrink the pore size (20). Turmeric can easily stain your clothes. Opt for old t-shirts or wrap an old towel to cover your shoulders and chest area. Back To TOC

17. Tea Tree Oil For Skin Pores

3-4 drops tea tree oil A cup of water A small spray bottle

  1. Pour the water into the spray bottle, add the tea tree oil, and shake well. 2. Store this bottle in the refrigerator. 3. Once it is cool, spritz some of this water all over your face. 4. Let this water evaporate naturally. Use this spray as a facial toner every morning and evening on a clean face. The astringent properties of tea tree oil help in reducing pore size and also diminishing their appearance. This essential oil is also a potent antimicrobial agent (21). Back To TOC

18. Tomato For Skin Pores

A small tomato 1 teaspoon honey (recommended for dry skin)

  1. Take out the pulp of the tomato and mix honey in it. 2. Apply this as a face pack on your face and neck. 3. Let it dry for 10 to 12 minutes and then rinse. Use this face pack daily. The natural acids present in tomato bring the natural oils of the skin into balance and tighten large pores (22). Back To TOC

19. Clay Mask For Skin Pores

2 tablespoons cosmetic clay (bentonite or kaolin) 1-2 tablespoons rose water or milk

  1. Add enough rose water to the clay powder to make a fine paste. 2. Apply an even layer of the clay mask and leave it on for 15 minutes. 3. Rinse with cool water. Repeat this twice a week. Cosmetic clay powders like bentonite clay and kaolin clay have the ability to absorb all impurities, tighten skin, and minimize pores (23). Do a patch test before using any clay mask on your face. Back To TOC

20. Honey For Skin Pores

2 tablespoons raw honey

  1. Apply honey on all the affected areas on your face. 2. Let it sit for 15 minutes and then rinse with lukewarm water. 3. Rinse again with cool water. Apply honey every day or every alternate day on your face. The antioxidants present in honey will make your skin look young and healthy all the time. It acts as a natural astringent and tightens those large open pores, especially those visible around the nose area (24). Back To TOC Don’t be disheartened by your large, open pores! They are just a temporary setback. Taking good care of your skin is essential to prevent pores from becoming enlarged and getting clogged. Make these home remedies a part of your skin care routine, and you will soon notice the pores decreasing in size. Your skin will also start becoming more clear and glowing. Now that you know how to get rid of open pores, what are you waiting for? Try these remedies right now and let us know how they worked for you. How do you deep clean your pores? Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist, says, “Use an exfoliating scrub or chemical exfoliant 2-3 times per week to thoroughly cleanse the face and clear out the pores without stripping the skin of natural oils.” She also adds, “Clay masks are perfect for cleaning out all the pores since they can remove oil, debris, and dead skin that is located deep inside the pores. Topical retinoids may sometimes help.” Should you squeeze pores? Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist, says, “Squeezing or picking at your skin can cause irritation, discoloration, and scars. Squeezing transfers germs, oil, and debris from your fingertips into your pores, perhaps leading to more blackheads.” Are open pores permanent? Dr. Anna Chacon, a board-certified dermatologist, says, “Pores can never be permanently reduced. However, expanded open pores can be altered to look smaller or less visible.” Why are my pores so big? What causes large pores? The pores on your nose and around that area are larger than those on the rest of the face. Apart from their natural size, the pores become enlarged by accumulating oil, dirt, and impurities. This is most commonly seen in people with oily skin as they naturally produce excess sebum (oil). Other reasons for large skin pores are hormonal changes, sun damage, and skin aging. What diet is good for skin pores? • A healthy digestive system ensures healthy functioning of your skin cells and oil glands as well. • Drink fresh green juices as these will detoxify your body and rejuvenate your skin. Have one juice a day and make sure you include the pulp (for fiber). • Follow a balanced, low processed sugar, whole foods diet. • Alfalfa seeds, seaweed, mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach should be included in your diet. These vegetables are rich in zinc, which helps to control skin inflammation and breakouts. Tips • Keep your face clean. Wash it using an oil-free cleanser every morning and evening. • Exfoliate your skin regularly to prevent dead skin cells from building up. • Use a toner that is apt for your skin. This will help in keeping your skin clean and your pores minimized. • Moisturize your skin to keep it hydrated all the time. Do not forget to use a sunscreen as well. • Home remedies like clay masks or Fuller’s earth absorb all the excess oil produced by the skin. Apply a mask or face pack once or twice a week. Are open pores permanent? Yes, they are. Also, you can never shrink pores permanently. However, they can be made less prominent. Does cold water close your pores? Cold water will help constrict blood vessels and temporarily tighten pores and decrease the associated redness and puffiness. Is vitamin C serum good for open pores? Yes. Being an antioxidant, vitamin C helps unclog pores, removes dead skin, and reduces overall sebum production.